Category Archives: Vandegrift

Six Viper INCubator startups pitch ideas, receive funding

In May, 21 Vandegrift INCubator teams pitched in front of five judges from the community – Kristin Spindler, Shane Stevens, Kristen Huguley, Gene Arant and Kai Lamb. In the end, six teams received funding.

By MIGUEL BLANCO, MEGAN MESSER

Vandegrift Voice

Twenty one Vandegrift INCubator teams pitched in front of five judges from the community – Kristin Spindler, Gene Arant, Shane Stevens, Kristen Huguley and Kai Lamb – on May 10. The judges chose four final teams to present at “Final Pitch Night” on May 14 in the Performing Arts Center at VHS. 

“In addition to those teams presenting, all of the other 17 teams showcased their business ideas in an expo prior to the actual pitch performances,” said Erin Lucas, VHS INCubator teacher. “All of the attendees were allowed to vote on their favorite of the 17 teams showcasing. The winner of the “People’s Choice” got to pitch on stage with the four others.” 

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Pole vaulter gains strength as only VHS girl wrestler

By DELILAH WOODS , Vandegrift Voice 

She clearly remembers walking into the large gym that smelled of metallic weights and sweat. The lump in her throat grew as her nerves kicked in, but not because of the gym’s aroma. She was the only girl in a gym full of male wrestlers.

Ina Edstrom’s drive to better herself led to her joining the all-male wrestling team this past school year. The recent Vandegrift graduate’s efforts paid off as she will go on to represent the University of South Alabama in pole vaulting in the weeks ahead.  

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Janga wins national geography bee, sets new record

Narayana Janga (dad), Navya (sister) and Sushma (mom) congratulate Nihar after he became the national geography bee champion on May 22. Navya missed graduation events to be with Nihar in Washington, D.C. Also photoed is Athreya Mallanna (blue t-shirt), who was runner up, and his mom. Photo by Rebecca Hale/National Geographic

By ALEJANDRA BORUNDA, National Geographic

The two finalists stood quietly at their podiums at the front of a packed auditorium at the 2019 National Geographic Bee on May 22.

“My heart was pounding and felt like it would come out of my body during the sudden death rounds in the finals,” said Nihar Janga from Steiner Ranch.

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